Screen-shutter for color photography



(No Model.) F. J. HARRIS ON. SGREBN SHUTTER POR COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY.

No. 578,147. Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

INVENTOH ATTORNEY JWWWHWIHIIIIIIIIWifllllmlllflIlllllllllllllllllllflllliiIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIlllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllfllI UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK J. HARRISON, OF ORANGE, NEWV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE E. (it H.T. ANTHONY & COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

SCREEN-SHUTTER FOR COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,147, dated March 2,1897.

Application filed August 5, 1896. Serial No. 601.706. (No model.)

T0 00% whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK J. HARRI- SON, a subject of the Queen ofGreat Britain, and a resident of Orange, in the county of Essex andState of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Apparatus for Color Photography, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to apparatus for use in the photographic art,having special reference to that branch thereof known as colorphotography. In the practice of this art it is desirable for theproduction of certain kinds of pictures that the light which acts uponthe sensitized plate should pass through glass plates or equivalenttransparent material which are interposed between the lens and thesensitized surface and which are colored to such tints or shad es asrequired, as now well understood, and, furthermore, for the productionof pictures having certain special characteristics it is desirable thatthe portions of the sensitized surface which are exposed under the samecolor should be separate from each other, and that portions exposedunder different colors should be interspersed with them in such mannerthat the several portions of differing colors shall lie closely adjacentto each other, yet not overlap, thus securing the blending of the colorsto effect the desired optical illusion.

My invention relates to an apparatus for producing this last-namedcharacter or class of pictures.

Briefly described, my invention consists in a transparent movable screenadapted to be located within a plate-holder close to the sensitivesurface, and this transparent screen is divided into separate sectionsof such areas as desired, and each section is lined or ruled in suchmanner that a portion of its surface is opaque, yet having the alternatesections transparent, and each section is dyed or stained in a differingcolor, so that the transparent portions thereof have different colorValues, and the opaque parts or rulings on adjoining sections are soarranged as that they break joints with each other, so that when theapparatus is used the opaque rulings in one section cover the portionswhich are exposed in the adjoining section, so that after the screen hascompleted its transit all portions of the sensitized surface will havebeen exposed, but all adjoining parts will be in differing colors. Themovement of the device may be effected by clockwork or in any othersuitable manner, and it is to be regulated to such speed as thequickness of the plate requires, and by its use a very great advantageis secured, because the picture as a whole is taken at one exposure, andabsolute accuracy in the relative location and arrangement of theexposed port-ions so that the desired color effects are secured isattainable.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a portion ofa photographic camera, partly in elevation and partly in verticalsection, embodying the invention. Fig. 2 illustrates a face view of thecolorvalue screen. In it the width of the opaque and transparent partshas been very greatly exaggerated, but the length of the color-valuescreen shortened, owing to the requirements of Patent Office drawings.Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of the apparatus in position foroperation,but detached from the plate-holder. Fig. I illustrates amodification, greatly reduced in size.

A illustrates the rear of a cam era-box, B being the bellows thereof. 0indicates a plate holder, which is attached to the rear of thecamera-box A by the usual supports D and spring-clip E. F is theordinary dark slide. G is the sensitized surface, shown in this instanceas being an ordinary glass plate, for which film or other suitablesupport for the sensitized surface may be substituted. These parts areor may be of any preferred material and construction.

Referring now to the features especially constituting the invention, Ctis a band or ribbon of transparent material, preferably a very thinflexiblesheet of celluloid.

b is a roller supported in the sides of the plate holder, upon which theribbon a is woundin the first instance. cis another roller at the otherside of the plate-holder, inclosed within a suitable casing. d is aclockwork for rotating the roller 0 at such speed as may be desired.

0 is a latch which engages with a detent f in the edge of a disk g,which is attached to the roller 1). The latch 6 extends to the outsideof the plate-holder and is pivoted at 7t and is spring-actuated, as byspring The ribbon a passes from the roller Z) over a guideroller j,across in front of the sensitized surface and immediately in contactwith it to the other side of the same, thence over another roller 71;,and thence to the driven roller 0.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the ribbon a is divided into sections of suchlength as may be desired, and each section is stained, dyed, orotherwise colored to such tint or shade as may be preferred. The colorsmost frequently desired are red, green, blue, violet, yellow, and anydesired number of these colors may be employed, there being, of course,a separate section of the ribbon for each color. The sections are madeof such length as may be desired for the following reasons: It requireseight or ten times as long an exposure to properly get the color valueof red as of blue or violet, and the other colors also differ in thetime required for the exposure through them. Consequently in acolor-value screen or ribbon in which red, green, and violet are usedthe red section would be eight or ten times as long as the violetsection, and the green would be of a suitable intermediate length.

After the ribbon has been dyed or stained in sections, as above stated,and in differing colors or shades of color, then each sectionis ruledlongitudinally by opaque lines, as seen in the left-hand section in Fig.2 at Z Z, and between the opaque rulings the transparentlongitudinally-extending portions of the ribbon appear, as at m on, &c.,and in the adjoining section, as seen immediately at the right, thissame practice is duplicated, exceptingthat the opaque parts Z Z, &c.,break joints endwise with the opaque sections Z Z in the left-han dsection, so that the longitudinally-extending transparent portions 077,on, &c., abut against the opaque portions in the left-hand section, andthe opaque portions Z abut against the transparent portions m an in theleft-hand section, and this same system is again reproduced in theremaining section, to wit, the one at the right. In it the opaquesections 1" are set still farther upwardly, and the transparent portionsm m, &c., break joints, respectively, with the transparent and opaqueportions in the adjoining or intermediate section. At each end of thecolor-value screen or ribbon there is an opaque portion having thenecessary longitudinal extension to entirely cover the exposure-apertureof the apparatus, so as to act as a dark slide, if desired. \Vhen theseend sections are present, the slide F (see Fig. 1) may be done awaywith.

The arrangement and operation of the device are as follows: Thecolor-value ribbon,

sectionally colored and lined with opaque lines, as above stated, isarranged within the plate-holderso that its major portion is wound uponthe roller 7), the end of it, however, extending over the rollers j and7.; and attached to the roller 0, and the roller 1; is prevented fromrotation by reason of the latch e engaging with the detent f, so thatthe stress of the clockwork, which actuates the roller 0, is restrained.The sensitized plate 9 or its equivalent, as above stated, is thenplaced in position, so that its sensitized surface is immediatelyadjacent to the color-value ribbon ct, and the clockwork is adjusted atsuch tension and is provided with such retarding means as may benecessary to secure the movement of the color-value ribbon at the properspeed, and when the parts are in this position if the ends of thecolor-value ribbon are made opaque, so as to act as a dark slide, thensuch opaque portion covers the face of the sensitized surface. The focushaving now been secured, and the subject properly within the field ofthe sensitized surface, the latch e is manipulated by pressure upon theexposed portion, whereupon the roller Z) being liberated the clockworkimmediately operates, and the flexible color-value ribbon is wound upupon the roller 0 at the requisite speed, and in its transit over thesensitized surface its opaque portion at that end first passes away fromin front of the sensitized surface, and thereafter the sensitizedsurface is exposed to the action of light through thedifferently-colored transparent portions of the several sections of theribbon, and in such manner that the red, green, and violet exposures areparallel with each other, and yet accurately spaced and arranged side byside, and at the conclusion of the transit of the ribbon the otheropaque portion at its other end passes in front of the sensitizedsurface and shields the same from further light action. If the ends ofthe ribbon are not made opaque, so as to act as a dark slide, then. theslide h will be manipulated in the usual manner.

In Figs. 1 and 3 I show a screen located in front of the color-valueribbon, which is preferably composed of a number of fine wires arrangedeither vertically or horizontally or in both directions or at anydesired angle, which partially obstruct the passage of the light, so asto produce a stippled effect. This stipple-screen is marked I and may bemade and arranged in any preferred manner.

I11 Fig. at I illustrate a modified construction of the color-valueribbon, by which I secure the same result as when the stationaryline-screen I is employed. In this construction the ribbon is in allrespects the same as that above described, but upon the back side of itfrom end to end of the colored sections it is lined crosswise by veryfine opaque lines. (Seen at a.) The two end sections 11 II may beopaque, as before, to act as dark slides. These lines a a areexceedingly fine and may run longitudinally instead of transversely ofthe ribbon or in both directions. Indeed, they may run at any desiredangle crosswise of the ribbon instead of longitudinally or vertically.

Although I prefer that the color -value screen be in the form of aflexible ribbon adapted to be wound upon rollers and operated as abovestated, I do not limit myself to this construction, because it isperfectlypossible to practice my invention by the employment of a rigidcolor-value screen, such, for example, as a differently colored ortinted glass plate, which is made to move across the face of thesensitized surface either manually or by the operation of suitablemechanism, and, moreover, it is not necessary that the color-valueribbon should be all in one piece. The differently-colored sections maybe separate in the first instance and suitably connected together eitherin the flexible or in the rigid form. I prefer, however, that it shouldall be in one piece, and the end sections, whether they are opaque toact as dark slides or not, may be made of the ordinary rubber cloth usedextensively in photographic apparatus; also, the devices employed formoving the color-value screen either in the flexible or rigid form maybe different from the clockwork indicated in the drawings. Indeed, itwill be obvious to those who are familiar with this art that variousmodifications may be made in the details of construction withoutdeparting from the essential features of the invention. I therefore donot limit myself to the special construction shown and described.

It is desirable, but not under all circumstances essential, that thecolor-value screen should be closely adjacent to the sensitized surface,because, if separated therefrom by any considerable distance, thediffusion of the light-rays will preclude the sharp definition of thecolored exposures, giving an unsatisfactory result. For some classes ofwork,however, the separation may be greater than for other classes.

It will be observed that the relation between the opaque lines and thetransparent portions are shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings as bearing therelation of two to one, the opaque portions being twice as wide as thetransparent portions. This is because three colors are supposed to beused in the instance illus trated. If two colors only were used, thenthe transparent and opaque portions would be of equal width. If fourcolors, then the opaque portion would be three times as wide as thetransparent portion in each section, and so on.

I claim 1. A color-value screen comprising a transparent mediuminterposed between the light and the sensitive surface, the ends of saidmedium being opaque, and the intermediate portions sectionally colored,and ruled with opaque lines, the lines in adjoining sections breakingjoints, and means to move said medium, for the purposes set forth.

2. A color-value screen comprising a flexible, transparent mediuminterposed between the light and the sensitized surface, said mediumbeing sectionally colored and ruled with opaque lines, the lines. inadjoining sections breaking joints with each other, and means to movethe said medium, for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination in a photographic apparatus, of a color-value screen,comprising a movable, transparent medium sectionally colored and ruled,substantially as set forth, and a fixed line-screen, which partiallyobstructs the light, both of said devices being interposed between thelens and the sensitive surface, for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination in a photographic apparatus of a color-value screen,composed of a flexible ribbon, the ends whereof are opaque and theintermediate portions sectionallycolored and ruled, substantially as setforth, and a fixed line-screen, which partially obstructs the light,both of said devices being located between the lens and the sensitivesurface, for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination in a photographic apparatus of a color-value screen,composed of l a flexible ribbon, the ends whereof are opaque and theintermediate portions sectionallycolored and ruled, substantially as setforth, a fixed line-screen, which partially obstructs the light, both ofsaid devices being located between the lens and the sensitive surface,and means to move said flexible ribbon, for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination in a photographic apparatus of a frame embodyingrollers, a flexible, transparent ribbon, portions whereof aresectionally colored and ruled, substantially as set forth, supportedupon said rollers, means applied to one of said rollers whereby it ispositively rotated, means applied to the other thereof, to control theaction of said motor, and a fixed, line-screen, which partiallyobstructs the passage of the light, said line-screen, and saidcolor-value screen being located between the lens and the sensitizedsurface, for the purposes set forth.

7. A color-value screen, comprisingatrans parent medium adapted to beinterposed between the light and the sensitive surface, said mediumbeing sectionally colored and ruled on one side with opaque lines,leaving exposed spaces between them and lined upon the back side withfine lines, for the purposes set forth.

8. A color-value screen, com prisingatransparent medium interposedbetween the light and the sensitized surface, the ends whereof areopaque, and the portions between the ends sectionally colored and ruledon one side in such manner as that the rulings break joints, and fine,opaque lines on the back thereof, for the purposes set forth.

9. A color-value screen, comprising a flexible, transparent medium,sectionally colored and ruled on one side with opaque lines, which inadjoining sections break joints with each other, and fine, opaque linesproduced on the rear thereof, for the purposes set forth.

10. A color-value screen comprising a movable, transparent medium,interposed be tween the light and the sensitive surface, said mediumbeing sectionally colored transversely, and ruled with opaque lineswhich run in the direction of its movement, the lines in thediiferently-colored sections breaking joints with each other, for thepurposes set forth.

11. A color-value screen, comprising a transparent medium interposedbetween the light and the sensitive surface, the ends of the said mediumbeing opaque and the intermediate portions sectionally coloredtransversely and ruled with opaque lines, which run in the direction ofits movement, the lines in the differently-colored sections breakingjoints with each other, for the purposes set forth.

12. A plate-holder having rollers at opposite sides to which is attacheda flexible colorvalue screen composed of transparent material, which issectionally colored transversely, the diflerent-ly-colored sectionsbeing ruled with opaque lines, running in the direction of its movement,and which break joints with said lines in the adjoining sections, andguiding devices to direct said flexible screen across the face of thesaid sensitive surface, for the purposes set forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 28th day of July, A. D.- 1896.

FREDERICK J. HARRISON.

Vitnesses:

PHILLIPS ABBOTT, E. SIMPSON.

